[center][h3][b][FOUR MONTHS AGO - WHITE HELIX LABS][/b][/h3][/center]
[center][h3]<<((\\*//))>>[/h3][/center]
[center][i]"You failed...again."[/i][/center]
No sooner had the words broken the heavy and palpable silence when flashing tendrils of electricity like sharp, bony fingers enveloped the Mk. One's platform, forcing the canid-like synthetic to seize violently with a sharp yelp before collapsing onto the cool metal floor, its legs twitching unsettlingly while smoke emanated from its body.

[i]"Doctor...Why?"[/i] The Mk. One asked helplessly, lifting its head up with effort to allow its photoreceptors to land on a scientist, garbed in a lab coat and holding a holographic remote control.

[i]"Because you were given a mission, and you failed to complete it once more. You were designed to be superior, to be revolutionary! You can't even complete a simple recon assignment. How is this City going to mass-produce K-9 Units if the prototype isn't even right!?"[/i] The scientist spat back, venom clear in his aged voice; true contempt that spanned far beyond the simple failure of a mission.

Now with enough strength to rise to its feet once more, the Mk. One shuddered in pain as the remnants of electricity dissipated from its body. The synthetic's voice came out distorted and strained in its recovery: [i]"It's t-the schemMATICS; the sssssimulations. Too/Too many factors - variablllles - I need more time to w-work on them--"[/i]

Before the synthetic could continue to speak, the scientist swiped a button on his remote, causing electricity to once more envelop the Mk. One and send it plummeting to the ground in newfound agony. [i]"There are no excuses on the battlefield, Mk. One. You will continue to simulate until you get it right."[/i] The voice of the scientist remained calm and even, in complete indifference at the Mk. One's apparent excruciation.

Approaching the writhing synthetic, the scientist knelt down in front of it, holding out a single hand. [i]"Now shake."[/i]

The Mk. One reeled back as best as it could, anguished exclamations effusing from it, spasms running through its servos and synthetic muscles, inhibiting its movement.

[i]"I said [b]shake.[/b]"[/i] the scientist commanded again, swiping the remote once more as a fresh jolt of electricity plagued the Mk. One, forcing it to slowly raise its paw as it struggled under its own weight, reaching the scientist's awaiting hand and rigidly jerking up and down before its vision faded into darkness -- and all went silent.
[hr]
[i]"Mk. One, I have someone I'd like you to meet." The voice of Doctor William Mars engrafted itself into the Mk. One's database, playing out the same way it had all that time ago - a dream - a memory.[/i]

[i]"Affirmative." The Mk. One heard itself responding just as it had, the clanking and whirring of its approach signaling movement.[/i]

[i]"Mk. One, this is my daughter, River. She'll be coming here to the facility regularly, and I'd like you to be her caretaker, understand? Keep her safe, show her around the building, make sure she's comfortable. Can you do that?"[/i]

[i]The Mk. One remembered her face...It didn't even need a playback to do so. Her hair was perhaps the most eye-catching part about her, catching light and shining like tongues of fire in the sun. Her features were youthful and enchanting, yet always held hostage by a cloud of depression that took away all the life from her, leaving her little more than a shell of a girl, either on the verge of sleep or tears. She haunted the Mk. One, her memory. But it could not forget her. It would not.[/i]

[i]"I am capable of this task - correct." The Mk. One's ghost responded, approaching the girl slowly. "I am K-9 Prototype Mark One, designation: CERBERUS."[/i]

[i]She knelt down in front of Cerberus, warily extending her hand as though in fear that the machine would retaliate before letting it land on its muzzle, gently stroking it. The smallest of smiles tugged on the girl's lips, so small and so fast it could hardly have been said to have occurred at all.[/i]

[i]"Can you shake?" She asked timidly, removing her hand from the Mk. One's snout and holding it out, palm-up. The Mk. One looked perplexed for a moment, but raised a single paw, delicately placing it in the girl's own hand as she shook it lightly, her eyes lighting up, if only for those few moments.[/i]

[i]"Good boy." She said, the echo of her words trailing off, and ending once again in silence.[/i]
[hr]
[i]"Good boy."[/i] The scientist echoed back cruelly at the unconscious platform before unceremoniously dropping its paw. He stood up to his full height, gave the machine a sneer and left, knowing that testing would soon recommence; as it should be.

[center][h3][b][PRESENT DAY - DISTRICT FOUR][/b][/h3][/center]
[center][h3]<<((\\*//))>>[/h3][/center]
To this day Cerberus could feel the agonizing volts of electricity as they jutted through his frame, violently tearing at every piece of wiring inside of him, twisting his body and leaving him at its mercy. Four months ago had that particular session happened. And he hadn't let it leave his memory core since. He would [i]always[/i] remember. 

Night had just started settling on District Four, creating something of a cover for Cerberus as he patrolled the streets in search for his creator. He had no new purpose, no directive to guide him. Simply his own will...his [i]freedom.[/i] But he could not spend it alone, it wasn't his prerogative. 

Whatever happened, he would find Katherine Saunders at all cost. There was no other alternative...